Thirteen Missouri school districts' are looking to be the state's first Race to the Top winner

The Race to the Top is on in Missouri this fall as fifteen school districts are applying for large federal grants

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Wrap: Missouri schools have never received funds from Race to the Top. Missouri applied in phase one of the race in 2010, but finished 33rd. In Phase 2, Missouri finished 30th.

But fifteen school districts have a chance in this heat. The US department of Education will award $400 million in grants to between 15 and 25 school districts.

Assistant Superintendent Maria Fleming says the Fort Osage school district decided to apply because of the department's emphasis on providing personalized attention to students.

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Description: "we felt like that really matched with our previous efforts, our efforts up to this point over the last several years as a district. We felt that this would give us an opportunity to do more in the areas that we have been working on."

From the state capitol, I'm Nick Thompson.

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Fifteen Missouri school districts are entering a tight competition for a chunk of $400 million in education grants this fall.

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WraP: The U.S. Dept. of Education will give between 15 and 25 awards in this round of the Race to the Top competition.

This round is unlike the first three phases, when funds were distributed to states. This time, it is a district-level heat.

According to the department, ideal candidates will display a commmitment to providing personalized attention to students.

Assistant Superintendent Maria Fleming says the Fort Osage school district would use the grants to invest in more technology and professional development.

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Description: "It's about providing each student with the support and the resources that they need, that the individual student needs, at any given time, to move forward."

The winners of the competition will be announced in December.

From the state capitol, I'm Nick Thompson

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Missouri has yet to benefit from the federal Race to the Top program, but that could change in a district-level competition this fall.

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Wrap: Fifteen Missouri districts are competing with 900 others nationwide for between 15 and 25 grants. The size of the prize will depend on how many students a district serves.

Maria Fleming, an assistant superintendent in the Fort Osage School District, says the grant would extend the success of its existing initiatives.

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Description: "achievement in the district has improved pretty significantly over the last five years, so we feel really good about what we're doing. We just feel that with these resources we could do even more."

Applications are due October 30, and the winners will be announced in December.

From the state capitol, I'm Nick Thompson.

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